More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Foreign Office

(London SW1)Government department responsible for British embassies abroad and for relations with all foreign and Commonwealth countries; in 1968 the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office were merged, and the official name now is Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is housed in the Government Offices, designed by George Gilbert *Scott. There has been a foreign secretary since 1782, when the work of the two *secretaries of state was reorganized so that one was responsible for home and the other for foreign affairs.